On 8 June 2021, Bill No 7307 ("the bill") to
improve the efficiency and speed of civil and commercial
proceedings was adopted unanimously.
The main objective of the bill is to optimise current and
future judicial proceedings with the aim of making the
administration of justice faster and more efficient. The bill will
contribute to ensuring that judicial decisions in civil and
commercial matters can be rendered within a reasonable period of
time.
Amongst other measures, the bill extends the jurisdiction
(“taux de compétence”) of the justices
of the peace (justices de paix) to civil and commercial
cases with a value of up to EUR 15,000 (up from EUR 10,000). From
now on, such cases can be dealt with by justices of the peace in
oral proceedings in which the parties are not obliged to be
represented by a lawyer. This will help lighten the caseload of -
and consequently speed up proceedings before - the district courts
(tribunaux d'arrondissement).
